“The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão” — A Vida Invisível

Photo courtesy of RT Features

Sisters Eurídice (Carol Duarte) and Guida (Julia Stockler) find solace in their intimate bond and shared worldly views as they navigate their starkly rigid and equally stifling family in the Gusmão home. Set in 1950s Rio de Janeiro, “The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão” spans decades of yearning and searching as the two sisters are torn apart by their culture’s patriarchal customs, each one believing that the other is fulfilling their dream.

“City of God” — Cidade de Deus

Photo courtesy of 02 Filmes

Based on Paulo Lins’ 1997 novel of the same name, “City of God” depicts the story of Rocket (Phellipe Haagensen) and José “Zé” Pequeno (Douglas Silva) who find themselves at odds as a drug war erupts in the shanty favelas of 1970s Rio de Janeiro. As Rocket’s interest in photography increases, Zé sees this as an opportunity for notoriety. While tensions rise and violence worsens, Rocket learns that one picture can change the trajectory of his life.

“Love for Sale” — O Céu de Suely

Photo courtesy of Shotgun Pictures

Struck by her husband’s infidelity, Hermila (Hermila Guedes) leaves behind her life to embark on a journey of self-discovery and liberation. Traveling far from her hometown, Hermila embraces anonymity by adopting the name Suely and begins rounding up suitors for a “night in paradise” where the prize is herself.

“Neighboring Sounds” — O Som ao Redor

Photo courtesy of CinemaScópio

Set in Recife, Brazil, Kleber Mendonça Filho’s debut film “Neighboring Sounds” follows the lives of middle-class residents undergoing new safety and security measures in their community. Constrained by constant surveillance, the ever-growing monotony of life, and their self-imposed paranoia, the film’s protagonists face an expansive isolation despite the close proximity to their neighbors. Filho’s “Neighboring Sounds” takes a hard look at Brazil’s rising class conflict as the walls of this Recife building close in on its residents.

Aquarius

Photo courtesy of SBS Productions

Retired music critic Clara (Sônia Braga) has no plans of moving out of the Aquarius apartment complex, a stunning two-story building built in the 1940s. American educated designer and land developer Diego (Humberto Carrão), however, has other plans for the building and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. A narrative closer to fact than fiction, Kleber Mendonça Filho’s David-and-Goliathesque “Aquarius” doubles as a reflection of Brazil’s current political state and tells the story of one woman’s fierce resilience in the face of greed-stricken corruption.

“The Way He Looks” – Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho

Photo courtesy of Lacuna Filmes

Based on the 2010 short “I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone,” the 2014 film adaptation finds Leo (Gilherme Lobo), a blind high schooler, struggling for independence from his overprotective parents and constraining school environment. Leo’s lone walks home from school and idle days spent by the pool with best friend and sole companion Giovana (Tess Amorim) quickly change when newcomer Gabriel (Fábio Audi) enrolls in their school. Following the budding friendship, “The Way He Looks” is a fresh take on a coming of age story.

“The Second Mother” — Que Horas Ela Volta?

Photo courtesy of África Filmes

In order to support her daughter Jessica (Camila Márdila), housemaid and live-in nanny Val (Regina Casé) has spent the past 13 years working for an affluent family in São Paulo while caring for their only son, Fabinho (Michel Joelsas). Now an adult, Jessica leaves her small town of Pernambuco to stay with her mother as she takes her college entrance exams — at the quiet disapproval of her mother’s bosses. Stirring the social order in their home, Val must decide where her loyalty stands in this comedic class critique, directed by Anna Muylaert.

“Entranced Earth” — Terra Em Transe

Photo courtesy of Mapa Filmes

The idealistic poet and jaded journalist Paulo Martins (Jardel Filho) resides in Eldorado, a fictional Latin American locale who finds himself in the midst of the city’s parasitic politics. Torn between two corrupt candidates, Paulo quickly realizes the dangers of his activism in this Cinema Novo film.

Elena

Photo courtesy of JustFilms / Ford Foundation

Elena Andrade leaves behind a life under the shadow of her parents’ political activism during Brazil’s military dictatorship. She lands in New York, thousands of miles away from her homeland. In this unfamiliar setting Elena pursues her (and once her mother’s) dreams of being an actress and soon after ceases all contact with her family. A composite of home movie archives and present day footage, the titular documentary retrospectively follows the life of the elusive actress from the perspective of her younger sister and the renowned director Petra Costa. A tribute to an estranged sister, an ode to grief, and a search for truth, “Elena” is one woman’s reconciliation of her sister’s resounding absence in her life.

“The Deceased” — A Falecida

Photo courtesy of Produções Cinematográficas Meta

Perfectly in good health, Zulmira (Fernanda Montenegro) finds herself consumed by the idea of death. Looking for an escape from her dreary reality, she begins planning an extravagant and over the top funeral for her own imminent end of life. In the midst of the macabre, Leon Hirzman’s “The Deceased” captures this peculiar woman’s essence — living to die yet dying to live.

“The Edge of Democracy” — Democracia em Vertigem

Photo courtesy of Busca Vida Filmes

Petra Costa’s “The Edge of Democracy” captures the rise and fall of Dilma Rousseff and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s political reign that preceded Jair Bolsonaro’s highly controversial presidential inauguration in 2018. Nominated in 2020 for Best Documentary Feature, the film sees an unfettered view on these polarizing politicians as Costa masterfully weaves the country’s political and democratic unraveling with her own personal narrative on familial and class divide. “The Edge of Democracy” teeters on uncertainty as Brazil’s political circumstance wavers, leaving viewers across the globe to question their own country’s impending collapse.

The post Familial Bonds and Political Divides: 11 Brazilian Films to Watch appeared first on Latina.

Originally from Santo Domingo, Yaris and her family immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the United States when she was only three. Self-ascribed as the Dalai Mama, Yaris’s moniker comes from her monthly video recipes, often emphasizing Dominican and Latin cuisine. In her series Dalai Mama’s Kitchen, the LA-based creative prepares delicious cultural dishes, from mofongo to Dominican chimi, while educating her followers on the origins and influences of Latin food. But antojos aren’t her only specialty — Yaris also hosts a book club, Dalai Mama’s Bookshelf. Through her latest literary series, Yaris highlights works from Black and brown voices like Resma Menakem and Elizabeth Acevedo to educate her viewers on issues of representation, systemic oppression, and social justice. Yaris spoke with Latina on balancing these projects, and the drive behind it all. 

Where are you from? Tell us a bit about your cultural background.

I’m from the Dominican Republic, born there and raised in New York City. I grew up in Washington Heights and then later in my teens I lived in the Bronx.

You’ve spent the pandemic curating new content that celebrates your Dominican background and educates your audiences on a range of topics. Tell me about the decision to begin Dalai Mama’s kitchen and Dalai Mama’s bookshelf.

I think that during the pandemic everyone was pretty much forced to look inward and reflect. I thought a lot about purpose, what brings me joy and how can I be a light for the world during these times. I asked myself questions like, “What am I naturally good at? What brings me joy? How can I bring this to the world?” Cooking has been a part of my life since I was a little girl, not only is it a big part of my culture with the big family gatherings but also a form of bonding with my mother. My mother and I would watch The Food Network together and I would help translate the ingredients to her from English to Spanish because she wasn’t fluent in English. Now I really enjoy hosting dinner parties for friends and family. Reading has also been fundamental for me. English was my best subject in school, I would ace those essays! Really, I’m just a knowledge seeker and genuinely want to elevate my people. 

You were able to speak to Resmaa Menakem, author of “My Grandmother’s Hands.”  What was that conversation like?

I had the honor to speak with Resmaa Menakem and the conversation was truly inspiring and enlightening. I had so many emotions as he took me through the various topics we discussed. We touched on the racial divide issue in America, traced back ancestral trauma, how to heal and listen to your body, creating culture shifts, and the importance of communal care amongst each other. I think the world really needs to listen to what Resmaa Menakem has to say, he’s a national treasure for sure. 

Both of your shows focus on the Dominican experience & elevating Dominican & Afro-Latinx voices. How do your own personal experiences impact the content you make?

Well, you can’t really speak on what you don’t know, right? It’s really just important to have more representation. Afro-latina voices are not very prominent and I grew up seeing and experiencing that. In America you’re either white or Black in relation to your proximity to both of those races — primarily skin color. I feel that the term Afro-Latina is still fairly new in American culture. Schools here only really focus on American history and barely do. So for me, shining light on my ethnicity and showing the interconnectedness we all share is a form of communal care while using literature, food, media as tools to bring people of different cultural backgrounds together. 

Shifting from your work, to the more personal. How has the pandemic been for you? How has it been juggling motherhood and your professional life?

The pandemic has been really good to me. There have been some struggles, don’t get me wrong, but without pain there is no gain. I grew tremendously during this time, it was like a reset button for my personal and career life. It’s been a challenge to juggle being a mother, provider, and school teacher now though. My daughter has been doing remote learning and I’ve had to really step in to fill the roles that her school was fulfilling. 

What are your favorite Dominican traditions? How do you keep these alive in your household?

I stay connected by cooking those traditional foods I grew up eating, and listening to the music I grew up listening to as well as new artists. So many of our traditions involve food and music because family gatherings are what it’s about. 

One of our goals at Latina is to empower the next generation of LatinX youth. What advice would you give to your 20-year old self:

Stand in your truth and power. Have no shame about who you are. Own your culture and roots. You don’t have to have all the answers, trust that everything is unfolding for your greater good. Protect your energy from those who are harmful and draining. It’s okay to prioritize yourself and the things that bring you comfort and peace.  

Last but not least, can we get an exclusive Dalai Mama recipe?

Yes, you absolutely can.

Dalai Mama’s Eggplant Stew:

Ingredients:

1/2 pound of smoked turkey sausage 

1 eggplant 

Dalai Mama’s Sofrito

1 tbsp of tomato paste 

1/2 lime 

Instructions: 

1. Peel and cut eggplant into very small cubes as small as possible.
2. Chop smoked turkey into small cubes.
3. Place eggplant in a saucepan with some water on low fire. Cover and let it soften for 5 minutes, open and continue breaking it apart with a spoon.
4. Add 2 tbsp of Dalai Mama’s Sofrito and stir together.
5. Add 1 tbsp of tomato paste and stir.
6. Throw in smoked turkey, stir together.
7. Taste test and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
8. Squeeze half a lime.
9. All done! Enjoy

The post Yaris Sanchez is Healing Her Community, One Mofongo at a Time appeared first on Latina.

Tiffany has always had an interest in art, but decided to take her work more seriously a few years back. Since then, she has had her work displayed in Gallery 1957, UNIT LONDON, and New Image Art Gallery. Last February Tiffany also curated De Lo Mío, a group exhibition at Jenkins Johnson Projects, in Brooklyn, New York, (one of a few Black-owned galleries in the city) featuring works from Bianca Nemelc, Joiri Minaya, Monica Hernandez, Uzumaki Cepeda, and Veronica Fernandez — all women of Dominican heritage. The exhibit aims to amplify the diversity in shared identities, celebrating those differences with each artist’s perspective. Now, the Bronx native is set to present her first solo exhibition, De Las Manos Que Nos Crearon, for Fall 2021 at The Mistake Room. From creating personal portraits for high-profile actor and fellow Afro-Dominican Angel Bismark Curiel to having her work featured by American Express and Planned Parenthood, she has solidified her place in the contemporary art scene. In this piece, Tiffany Alfonseca shares her insights on her most meaningful work and the inspiration behind it all. 

1. “Esta vez sera diferente”

2020 // Acrylic paint, charcoal, and glitter on stretched canvas // 30×40 inches

For me this piece is a representation of Black and brown queer love, depicting how being queer can be challenging in the Latinx community and culture. “Esta vez sera diferente” stems from wanting to change the narrative of forbidden queer love and embracing it instead in the Latinx culture.

2. “Si dios lo permite”

2020 // Acrylic paint, oil sticks, glitter, and charcoal on stretched canvas // 48×48 inches

Being protected and having faith in God is crucial in the Dominican culture. The Dominican Republic is the only country in the world to have an image of the Holy Bible on its flag and in general, religion plays a big role in the Latinx culture. “Si Dios lo permite” is a saying I heard often while growing up coming from my elders which translates to “If God permits” and it kind of just stuck with me.

3. “La hija de Margo (Consuelo)”

2021 // Colored pencils, gouache, and glitter on paper // 30×40 inches

This painting is a part of a project that I’m doing where I’m painting old family photos. Consuelo was my grandmother from my mothers side. This photo was taken on my grandmother’s wedding day when she was 16 years old, shortly after she moved to New York City from the Dominican Republic and started a new life and family.

4. “La Mathy Santana”

2020 // Acrylic paint, Charcoal, Oil Sticks, Paint markers, and glitter on canvas // 40×40 inches

Mathy Santana is a close friend of mine and I always admired her confidence. A big part of my practice is to pay homage to women in my life and uplift them.

5. “Lata de Bustelo pa bañarse (El mundo es mio)”

2020 // Acrylic paint, Charcoal, rhinestones and glitter on canvas // 30×40 inches

Something I’ve always noticed in the Latinx culture is that we find a way to make something out of nothing, and we use almost any object and make it multi-purpose. In this case, “Lata de Bustelo pa bañarse (El mundo es mio)” sees the grandmother using an old empty can of bustelo coffee to bathe the boy.

6. “No dejes que las apariencias te engañen”

2020 // Acrylic paint, charcoal and glitter on stretched canvas // 48×48 inches

Looks could be deceiving in many cases, especially when you’re a “macho straight-passing” gay man. I find that alot of Latinx men tend to be very masculine to disguise the fact that they’re queer because it’s still not 100% accepted in our culture.

7. “Milady (De La Vega)”

2020 // Acrylic paint, charcoal and glitter on stretched canvas // 48×48 inches

Milady is a friend of my mother’s and I captured her in this very nostalgic moment of hanging up the wet clothes outside to dry. That is something I always remembered seeing in the streets whenever visiting the Dominican Republic as a kid.

8. “Bustelo pot (Still Life)”

2018 // Acrylic paint and glitter on stretched canvas // 24×24 inches

Touching back on the topic of using objects and making them multi-purpose, here in this painting the bustelo can is being used as a plant holder. A lot of my work is very nostalgic and stems from memories growing up and this is always something I would see in a grandmother’s house.

9. “Romi”

2021 // Acrylic paint, charcoal, stickers, and glitter on stretched canvas // 48×60 inches

In the Dominican Republic it’s normal to have a trabajadora in your home, and Romi happens to be my aunt’s trabajadora for years now. Every summer that I would go back to the Dominican Republic, she would always be there to welcome me with open arms.

The post Tiffany Alfonseca Pays Homage in Painting appeared first on Latina.